September 11, 2023 – Welcome back! The Nursing Services team wants to ensure that you start the school year with the most recent guidance regarding COVID-19. These Frequently Asked Questions have been reviewed by Wellesley’s Health Department.

Please speak to your school nurse if you have any questions or concerns specific to your child. The WPS Nursing Services page is another helpful resource for students, guardians, and staff. We are here to help and answer questions throughout the school year. 

Ashley Hulme

Director of Nursing Services

  1. If my child has COVID-19, should I be reporting this to school? How should I do that?
    • If your child tests positive for COVID-19, please follow your school’s absence reporting procedure and let your school nurse know as soon as you are able. You can call or send a message through the health portal (Log into Powerschool using the same username and password you use to access report cards and click the SNAP Health Portal icon on the left sidebar). 
  2. If diagnosed with COVID-19, does my child need to remain out of school? If so, for how long?
    • Your child must remain home for at least 5 days from the onset of symptoms.
    • Considerations for the return to school:
      • Fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication and
      • Cough/congestion has greatly improved/resolved
    • If symptoms begin to improve, your child may return to school on day 6 wearing a mask through day 10. 
    • If symptoms are improved and your child tests negative twice on or after day 5, then a mask is not required.
    •  The CDC has a timeline tool for help determining isolation and precaution dates. 
  3. What if my child is exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19?
    • Quarantine is no longer required nor recommended for children or staff in these settings, regardless of vaccination status or where the exposure occurred. All exposed individuals may continue to attend programming as long as they remain asymptomatic. Those who can mask should do so until Day 10, and it is recommended that they test on Day 6 of exposure (mass.gov). 
  4. Will the district be providing free test kits again? 
    • Each health office has a limited quantity of free kits that will be provided to students and staff on an as-needed basis as determined by the nurse.
  5. Should my child receive a COVID-19 Booster? What is the most updated guidance?
    • For specific questions related to COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for your child, please consult with your primary medical provider. 
    • The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the CDC recommend COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 6 months of age and older.  
    • WPS does not require a COVID-19 vaccine to attend school. 
  6. Will WPS host another COVID-19 vaccination clinic?
    • Given the wide availability of the vaccine to anyone eligible right now, WPS is not planning on hosting another vaccination clinic.
    • Consult with your primary care provider for booster timing and recommendations.
  7. Should my child receive the flu vaccine this year?
    • For specific questions related to Flu vaccine recommendations for your child, please consult with your primary medical provider.
    • The Wellesley Health Department will be hosting Flu Clinics this Fall. Please refer to their website for updates on when the clinic will be held. 
    • WPS is working with the Wellesley Health Department to host a Flu clinic for staff at WHS in early November. Specific dates and times will be shared with staff in the near future. 
  8. If a student or staff member is sick and experiencing symptoms, such as fever, cough, runny nose, what should they do?
    • There is no in-school testing for COVID-19. Students, faculty, and staff are directed to stay home if they are sick. If an individual presents to school with the above-mentioned symptoms, they will need to go home until clearance criteria for school return is met. Below is the full list of symptoms for which caregivers should monitor their children, and staff should monitor themselves.
      • COVID-19 symptoms list:
        • Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills
        • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
        • New loss of taste or smell
        • Muscle aches or body aches
        • Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
        • Sore throat, when in combination with other symptoms
        • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea when in combination with other symptoms
        • Headache when in combination with other symptoms
        • Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
        • Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as  allergies) when in combination with other symptoms

Contact Information: 

School Contact and Absence Reporting Information

Wellesley Health Department 

Further information regarding absence and illness guidelines can be found in the student handbook:   

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
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